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on the subject, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum which I have received from the Prime Minister, explaining the views of my Ministers on this question. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, - Governor. of State for the Colonies. Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 3rd February, 1913. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and, in reply to despatch No. 347 of the 21st November. 1912, from the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, requesting an expression of the wishes of His Excellency's Ministers on the subject of the publication of dissenting opinions in the case of judgments delivered by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, desires to acquaint His Excellency that Ministers have given careful consideration to the question, and have arrived at the conclusion that the practice hitherto followed in regard to dissenting opinions should not be departed from. They consider that the practice of rendering a single judgment, and excluding the expression of dissenting judgments, is beneficial and an advantage, as the single judgment prepared by one Judge and revised by all the others is generally worded with precision, and is so expressed as to be a guide to lawyers. His ■ Excellency's Ministers are also of opinion that the publication of the one judgment of the Privy Council is authoritative and conclusive, and affords no support to any one who doubts its wisdom. They think that the publication of dissenting judgments would tend to keep a controversy alive that would probably cease if the single judgment only were published ; and that, in any case, there is little utility in publishing opinions"which for all practical purposes must be regarded as unsound. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister.

No. 55. New Zealand, No. 19. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 13th February, 1913. With reference to your despatch of the 6th December, No. 367, relative to the Dominions Royal Commission, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum which I have received from my Prime Minister, intimating that the proposals mentioned in your despatch are agreed to by the Government of this Dominion. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 11th February, 1913. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and, in returning despatch No. 367, of the 6th December, covered by G.H. 40/1913 (Dominions Royal Commission), begs to acquaint His Excellency that the Government agree to the proposal that the cost of providing a substitute for the Secretary in the Department from which he is lent shall form part of the divisible expenses of the Commission. A sufficient number of copies of reports of evidence of the Commission will be taken in the manner indicated in the despatch, and corrected copies will be sent to England by the Secretary, to be printed there. As already intimated to the Governor, arrangements will be made to place the Secretary to the Commission in funds while in this Dominion, to enable him to meet the expenses of the tour through this country. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister.

No. 56. New Zealand, No. 25. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 21st February, 1913. With reference to my telegram of the 12th February, I have the honour to inform you that I have received messages of sympathy from the Congregational Union of New Zealand, the Oamaru Branch of the Overseas Club, and Mr. Arthur